In a crucial match against the Mumbai Indians, the Royal Challengers Bangalore failed to meet expectations and all but dashed their playoff hopes with a crushing defeat. The Mumbai Indians not only overtook RCB with the win, rising to third place, but also gave their net run rate and playoff chances a significant boost.
The Mumbai Indians’ decision to bowl first paid immediate dividends as Jason Behrendorff, who was returning to the team, dismissed Virat Kohli in the very first over. Anuj Rawat followed suit in the next over, failing to take advantage of his promotion up the order, leaving the visitors reeling at 16/2. However, the remaining members of RCB’s “big three” stepped up to the plate, with a partnership of 120 runs at a rate of two runs per ball. Although Faf du Plessis scored 65 runs off 41 deliveries, it was Glenn Maxwell’s impressive knock of 68, scored at a strike rate of 206.06, that captured the most attention. Just as the team appeared poised to set a massive target, RCB suffered a typical collapse, losing three wickets in the space of 10 deliveries, leaving them at 152/5 with five overs to go. Dinesh Karthik managed to limit the damage with a quick 30-run cameo, but it was only enough to get them to a par score of 199/6 by the end of their 20 overs.
Chasing at the flat Wankhede track, the hosts never appeared to be in trouble as they raced to 41 runs in the first four overs. Although Wanindu Hasaranga briefly flipped the game by dismissing both Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma in the penultimate over of the powerplay, the RCB bowling unit was no match for the sheer prowess of Suryakumar Yadav. The 32-year-old unleashed his vintage self to go on a plundering spree, taking a tight run-chase and making it appear like a walk in the park. Yadav walked in with 149 runs required in 15 overs, and after hitting six huge sixes, he departed for a 35-ball 83 with just eight runs required off the final 26 deliveries. Although Vijaykumar Vyshak earned a couple of late wickets for his side, it was only compensation as MI won the match with 21 balls to spare.
Supremacy 💙 chasing 200 runs in 16.3 overs shows the quality in the camp. Superb knock by SKY and very special knock from the youngster Nehal Wadhera 👏👏
?Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R)
Suryakumar Yadav is utterly insane 💥 what a knock! 🤯
Suryakumar Yadav is utterly insane 💥 what a knock! 🤯
?Sam Billings (@sambillings)
No one even comes close. NOBODY
Suryakumar Yadav is the BEST T20 batsman. No one even comes close. NOBODY.
?Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima)
Suryakumar Yadav 🙌🙌🙌
Suryakumar Yadav 🙌🙌🙌
4th fifty in the last 6 innings. He’s back to his very best.
?Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra)
Supremacy 💙 chasing 200 runs in 16.3
Pure Treat to Watch his batting. ?
?Gujarat Titans (@Gujrat_titans_)